Fifth-wheel.



No. 810,546 PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906. J. KREIZIGER.

FIFTH WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED JULY3.1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

llII/II Witnesses JOJ' Inventor m A z I Attorneys Witnesses Inventor by v d I a No. 810,546. PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

J. KREIZIGER.

FIFTH WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED JULY 3.1.005.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

JOSEPH KREIZIGER, OF SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS J. SOLON, OF SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

Application filed July 3, 1905. Serial No. 268,164:-

To all whom it may concern/.

Be it known that I, JosEPH KREIZIGER, a-

v citizen of the United States, residing at Superior, in the county of Douglas and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Fifth Wheel and Method of Making the Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fifth-wheels for vehicles.

One object of the invention is to provide a fifth-wheel in'which a king-bolt will not be necessary and in which the parts are so united a? to prevent independent lateral or vertical p ay.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a fifth-wheel in which a continuous groove formed in one member is entirely filled by the other member for the purpose of adding to the strength of the device and for excluding dirt and grit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fifth-wheel formed of but two members fitted one into the other and held in proper relative position without the aid of bolts, rivets, or other securing devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fifth-Wheel structure formed of a pair of interfitting members, each in the form of a continuous ring, presenting a continuous bearing-surface and preventing the entrance of dirt or grit.

A still further object is to simplify and materially improve the construction of such devices, and particularly to avoid the Welding of the metal at points exposed to frictional wear, so that the character of the metal will be practically uniform throughout its beare ing-surfaces and uneven wear will be avoided.

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a fifthwheel constructed in accordance with the inbolster, or other support.

vention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the upper member of the fifth-wheel detached. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the lower member of the fifth-wheel. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of a bar of metal from which the lower fifth-wheel member is to be made, showing the initial cutting and shaping of the metal. Fig. 5 shows a second step, in which the bar of metal is curved to approximately U shape. Fig. 6 represents a third step, in which the central portion of the bar is opened out to form the circle or ring and the end portions are bent into continuous alinement to form the members which rest upon the axle, Fig. 7 illustrates the manner in which the member shown in Fig. 6 is reshaped by dies. Fig. 8 shows one method of fitting the upper ring over the lower. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lower ring or member, showing the manner in which it is split and bent for introduction into the upper member, this being a modification of the method of assembling shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 illustrates a slight modificatiorrof the fifth-wheel.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The device forming the subject of the present invention comprises two main members, the upper of which is designed to be secured to the spring-block reach or other members of the running-gear, while the lower member rests upon and is secured to the axle of the vehicle. Each member is in the form of a continuous ring, the up er member 10 being provided with a depen ing flange 11, which is turned inward and embraces the outer edge of the lower member, thus forming a groove that is approximately Vshaped in cross-section. Secured to or formed integral with the upper portion of the ring 10 is a cross-bar 12, having suitable lugs 13 for convenience in securing the ring to the spring-block or other member of the running-gear, and extending from this cross-bar 12 is a second bar 15, which may be arranged under the reach. The lower member 16 is in the form of a continuous ring that is ap roximately of V shape in cross-section in or er to fit in and entirely fill the correspondingly-shaped groove 16, and formed integral with this lower ring is a crossbar 17, extending diametrically across the ring and projecting beyond the edges thereof for convenience in attaching the device to the axle or other su port. The two members when assemble form a continuous annular friction-surface in which the weight is divided equally throughout and wherein the flange 11 serves not only to prevent lateral displacement, but will form a guard to pre vent the entrance of dust and dirt.

If a continuous ring is formed by turning or bending a straight bar into circular form and welding its ends, the character of the metal at the weld will be different from the remaining portion of the bar, being either harder or softer, in accordance with the manner in which the iron is treated during the welding operation. This will produce uneven wear, and the fifth-wheel will soon work loose and become ineffective. In one method of carrying out the present invention provision is made for forming the continuous rin without welds. A bar 30, Fig. 4, of genera ly rectangular form in crosssection is first provided with a longitudinal slot 31, ex tending nearly from end to end thereof, and then the end portions are slit in a direction at a right angle to the central slit, as indicated at 32, and the split ends are bent outward slightly, forming arms 33. The bar is then bent into approximately U-shape form, as shown in Fig. 5, and then the split central portions of the bar are separated, being bent to the position shown in Fig. 6 in order that the split faces may be arranged in the same horizontal plane, while the arms 33 arebent outward in continuous alinement, the adjacent ends of the innermost bars being afterward welded together. The partly-formed fifth-wheel member (shown in Fig. 6) is then placed in suitable shaping-dies 40 of the character shown in Fig. 7 and subjected to pressure until it assumes the shape shown in Fig. 3, the upper bearing-surface being faced, if necessary.

In assembling the two rings the flange 11 of the upper member, which may initially be arranged at a right angle to the general plane of said upper member, as shown in Fig. 8, is turned over the outer inclined edge of the lower ring by suitable flanging or spinning tools, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8, so that the two rings will be united in such manner as to revent any independent lateral or vertical p ay, and as the groove of the upper member is entirely filled by the ring of the lower member all dust and grit will be ex-- the ring may be reduced to such an extent as to permit its ready introduction into the annular groove of the upper member, after which the bar 17 is, again straightened and the split ends of the ring are forced out to reassume the normal position, so that the groove will be entirely filled.

It is evident that the two members may be fitted together in a number of ways and that said members may be of either cast or malleable metal. If the lower member is cast, the upper member will be malleable, and the flange 11 is then turned. over the outer inclined face of the lower member, as shown in Fig. 8, while if the upper member is cast the lower member is malleable and may be out or bent in any suitable manner to facilitate its introduction into the groove of the upper member. The method described,- however, is preferable, inasmuch as it permits the formation of a lower ring that is practically weldless, especially at the juncture of the ring with the cross-bar that is secured to the axle or bolster and Where the strain of the draft is imposed.

It is obvious that the cross-bars of both members may be arranged either diametrically across the fifth-wheel or at points to one or other side of the center of the wheel, one of these modifications being illustrated in Fi 10.

It fifth-wheel of the construction shown presents two continuous annular bearing-surfaces, each of which is of uniform character throughout, so that the wear will be uniform, and the weight will be evenly distributed, while any independent lateral movement is prevented, and the bearing-surfaces are shielded from dirt and dust by the flange 11.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- '1. In a fifth-wheel, a pair of superposed rings, each forming a complete annulus, and

each having an integral cross-bar for connection with the running-gear, the lower ring being approximately V-shaped in cross-section, and the horizontal contacting faces of the two rings being coextensive in Width, the upper ring having a marginal flange encircling the tapered outer edge of the lower ring, and serving to maintain the rings in proper relative positions.

2. In fiftl1-wheel construction, an upper grooved ring having an integral cross-bar arranged for connection to a portion of the running-gear, and a lower ring also having an integralcross-bar,tl1elower ring being approxi mately V-shaped in cross-section and being split or divided to permit its introduction within the groove of the upper ring.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a fifthwheel formed of a bar of metal split and opened out to form an unwelded ring having a friction-surf ace of uniform character throughout.

4:. As a new article of manufacture, a fifthmy own I have hereto affixed my signature in Wheel formed of a bar of metal, split and the presence of tWo Witnesses. opened out to form an unwelded ring, the end portions of the bar being split to form arms JOSEPH KREIZIGER' 5 that are arranged in continuous alinernent Witnesses:

and form an integral part of said ring. THOMAS J. SOLON,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as l JOHN BENHAM. 

